Bellagio Conservatory debuts summer ‘Under the Sea’ display — VIDEO
Bellagio Conservatory unveils 'Under the Sea' display (Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
May 20, 2016 - 10:27 pm

A star fish is shown on the opening night of the Bellagio Conservatory's "Under the Sea" summer display on Friday, May 20, 2016. (Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review Journal)

Although the top of the sea turtle's shell is comprised of about 500 fresh cut red carnations and yellow Fuji Mums, its outer shell features real seashells. The Bellagio Conservatory debuted the sea turtle as part of its summer display on Friday, May 20, 2016. (Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

"Tanked" stars Brett Raymer and Wayde King and Bellagio's Jerry Bowlen, Executive Director of Horticulture on the opening night of the Conservatory's "Under the Sea" display on Friday, May 20, 2016. (Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review Journal)

(Rachel Crosby/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

A floral display is shown on the opening night of the Bellagio Conservatory's "Under the Sea" summer display on Friday, May 20, 2016. (Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review Journal)

Alison Ager demonstrates her "Best Vest" product on Wednesday, May 25, 2016. (Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

A sign for the aquarium constructed by the team at "Tanked" is shown on the opening night of the Bellagio Conservatory's "Under the Sea" summer display on Friday, May 20, 2016. (Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review Journal)

The Bellagio Conservatory's whale display is dressed in 650 Echeveria Succulents. The display is part of the Conservatory's "Under the Sea" theme, which debuted on Friday, May 20, 2016. (Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review Journal)

Two 6 ft. long dolphins made of foam add to the impress "Under the Sea" display the Bellagio Conservatory on Friday, May 20, 16. (Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The Bellagio Conservatory's "Under the Sea" display features three colorful seahorses. The seahorses are 8 ft., 10 ft., and 12 ft. high. (Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review Journal)

The Mandalay Bay, home to the Shark Reef, is providing the fish and fish care for the Conservatory's "Under the Sea" display. A booklet describing the fish that are inside the two 20 ft. aquariums is shown on Friday, May 20, 2016. (Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Guests line up to walk through the two 20 ft. aquariums designed by the stars of Animal Planet's hit show "Tanked" at the opening of the Bellagio Conservatory's "Under the Sea" display on Friday, May 20, 216. (Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

High school and college-aged Las Vegans scrimmage on a basketball court at 24 Hour Fitness, 5035 West Tropicana, on Friday, August 7, 2015 (Chris Kudialis/Review-Journal, @kudialisrj)

Debuted at the Bellagio Conservatory on Friday, May 20, 2016, the seal was brought to life by using around 2,000 fresh cut flowers. (Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The trio of colorful seahorses is shown at the Bellagio Conservatory on Friday, May 20, 2016. (Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Dressed in 650 Echeveria Succulents, the Conservatory's whale display is shown with two jellyfish floating above on Friday, May 20, 2016. (Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Guests are shown admiring the Conservatory's "Under the Sea" display on Friday, May 20, 2016. (Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Guests line up to stroll through the Bellagio Conservatory's two 20-ft. aquariums built by the team on Animal Planet's "Tanked" on Friday, May 20, 2016. (Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

A Nike HyperChase shoe in the multicolor and reflective silver colorway, worn by Chris Robinson, 17, of Desert Oasis High School (Chris Kudialis/Las Vegas Review-Journal, @kudialisrj)

A staff member is shown using a crane to put the finishing touches on the Conservatory's summer display before it opened to the public on Friday, May 20, 2016. (Caitlin Lilly/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
As the seasons change, so do the elaborate, expansive flower displays at the Bellagio’s 14,000-square-foot conservatory and botanical garden.
Although the first official day of summer isn’t until June 20, the Bellagio has completed construction and development on its extravagant summer floral display.
Working diligently to bring this year’s theme — Under the Sea — to life, a horticulture staff comprised of 120 team members completed the conservatory’s transition from Chinese New Year to the summer display in just a few short weeks.
According to the Bellagio, transforming the conservatory into an underwater paradise required an assortment of 80,000 blooming plants including: New Guinea impatiens, calandivas, hydrangeas, sunflowers, salvia, pineapple lilies, azalea, chrysanthemums, miniature roses and calla lilies.
That’s not all. The floral wonderland also includes 6,000 tulips — weekly — and 2,000 ivy plants.
If that’s not impressive enough, the display needed 600 shrubs ranging from azalea brilliants, begonias, clivias, hibiscus, aeonium green, and more.
To top off the masterpiece, the conservatory partnered with the famous team behind Animal Planet’s “Tanked,” the Vegas-based aquarium company Acrylic Tank Manufacturing, to feature two 20-foot aquariums.
Bellagio’s Conservatory and Botanical Garden will host the “Summer: Under the Sea” display from May 20-September 10. Admission to the conservatory is free.
Check out the video and photo gallery above.
Contact Caitlin Lilly at clilly@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @caitielilly_